St. Paul daily globe., 1887-04-30
TERRITORIAL TOPICS.

As A rule the people who go to a new
country to find homes are those of little or no
meanS-the unfortunate or those who have
not yet got a start in life. In all the larger
Dakota towns many of the leading and mos,
prosperous citizens came out from financial
clog. somewhere in the states, and, for
re- SONS readily inferred, commenced business
u the names of their wives. Those good
gdies have generally been prosperous, and in
many Instances can be called wealthy, while
their energetic, pushing husbands are still
without possessions, TO invite the Jealousy OF
old creditors i'll the states. Those who have
had occasion 10 examine the records, express
much surprise AT the extent and character
OF this sort of proxy business. Whether
there is illustration of commercial
integrity. or nice moral discrimination, is not
now considered. The point in hand is, that
Dakota has afforded and still affords, remark
ahle facilities and opportunities for rebuild
ing wrecked finances or rapid development
of thrift and prosperity. To the empty
handed, honest toiler, it offers land of
phenomenal fertility on terms within the
reach of all. One can hardly go anywhere, by
the time crops are ready for market, rail
road will not be within easy reach. The
first settlers in illinois became sallow shakers
from malaria and counted Quiuine as the
most essential article of consumption. There
is no fever 'nager" in Dakota, and the doc
tors and undertakers all have to take claims,
go TO the legislature or run some side show to
Subsist. If figures We're strictly veracious
they would prove that Dakota Is the health
lest region of which there are statistics-but,
in fact, deaths there are almost confined
n 10 VII life those who hrOIlphf
the fatal disease with them, or those who dis
regard the common laws of nature. There
are diseases peculiar to or fostered by the
climate Unlike the old time. the Dakota
settler need not deprive himself of social,
educational and religious advantages. They
follow close after him, and the hardships of
u new country will be found few and transi-
tory. Men, and women too, of pluck and
perseverance can do we'll in Dakota without
money, and if they have money and sense
enough to invest judiciously, it will multiply
for them with rapidity as gratifying as sur
OriSing.
OTHE governor has designated May 5 as
Arbor day this year, and there seems TO be
more than usual disposition to observe it, but
that by no means indicates the attention that
it is desirable to beStow upon the subject.
Even III the Quest SScLlOlS OI luG
the day could be profitably improved. The
establishment of special day for this pur
pose is credited to sagacinus governor of
Nebraska some fifteen or I relty years ago,
and it has become legal holiday there.
Since then 1t has been accepted in twenty
or more states and territories, includ-
ing some OF the Oldest, such as
Maine, Pennsylvania and Alabama. 1t
ffa6 n a
are now over 600, 100000 thrifty trees where,
prior to this day devoted to arboreal produc-
ton, there were scarcely any to be found ex-
cept along the streams. In prairie region
there is more need of attention TO tree grow
ing than elsewhere. The trees and shrubbery
are not only indices of culture and refine
ment but have economic value. 1t is stated
that there is marked difference in the pros
perity of the towns in the prairie states that
are well set with trees and those which have
neglected them. Persons seeking homes are
naturally attracted to the localities that pre-
sent outrageous and arboreal allure
ments. Property there commands much
larger figures, as men of means will
pay for the accessories of comfort
and luxury aud taste, far beyond their cost.
Any man in Dakota who owns realty. either
in town OF country, can not spend one or
more days more profitably than in putting
out trees and shrubs. 1t will be an evidence
that he has faith in the country, and has come
to il 10 abide and plant his penates, and even
should he want TO sell, he can do so at far
better advantage than II he had none of these
adjunctS of high civilization. A goodly stock
should first be set out of the standards, such
as box elder and ash, that will grow
rapidly and with little attention, then
there should be supplement of ever
greens and some varieties of fruit
which will flourish with reasonable care and
attention. There are varieties of pums and
apples that are success even in the coldest
and most unfavorable sections. Others are
still On the experimental list, and Dakota
needs two experimental farms TO make the
test that individuals cannot well do and as
certain just what can be successfully and
prottably produced in trees, fruits shrub
berry, grains and all other lines. In the
meanwhile there should be every effort to
Utilize such varieties of trees and other
pushes as have been tested. Itwould be well
if, in addition to individual effort, there should
)e an organized movement in the towns to
make Arbor day benehcent institution to
the Dakota land.
THE fluctuations in seasons as we'll as the
'nfirmity Of the human mind and memory,
often give rise to the theory with old settlers
that there is a real change in the climate of
country. There is little question that the
cultivation of the soil and growth or removal
of trees, do produce some effect. But few
sections of Dakota have been settled long
enough to furnish much data on this subject.
The oldest white settlement in the north is on
the Red river well toward the Northern
boundary. There are parties who have lived
what is now Pembina county for thirty
ears. They insist that within their memory
the changes have been very Marked although
gradual. In early times they assert seeding
could never be done before the latter half of
May-amost month later than now-but
froStS never came till November-not touch
ing the unripe grain, as is frequent of late
and rains were always abundant They also
insist that the winters were much less
severe and the heat never so intense in the
hummer. 1t would be interesting if there
we're accurate observations to sustain these
assertions, or scientific explanation behind
them.
THERE has been good deal of bad;nape
about the repression of the labors of the de-
'tructive little gopher. and possibly this sor.